TRENDS IN LUXURY HOME IMPROVEMENT— PART I

Even though the current housing market in general is experiencing a readjustment, the luxury home market is still going strong. Many owners of high end properties see their homes as long term investments as well as a great place to live, and they are putting their money into improvements.  Harvard University’s Housing Studies Center estimated that $160 billion was spent on home improvements last year, and much of that went for the latest in luxury upgrades.

With environmental issues so much in the forefront these days, green is at the top of the home improvement list.  Energy efficient features- extra insulation, double paned windows, Energy Star appliances, and lighting using compact fluorescent bulbs and LEDs, are the most popular upgrades.

But America’s top homes are also being retrofitted to tap into alternative energy sources like solar, wind and geothermal. Environmentally conscious flooring such as bamboo or cork, and chemical free paint and building materials, will help support good indoor air quality. All these improvements will save the homeowner utility costs in the long run and dramatically improve the homes energy footprint on the planet.